Caladium plant named ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’, characterized by its intermediate and upright to mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; fancy-type leaves that are creamy to greenish white in color variably flushed with pink, variably covered with random pink and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably mottled with dark green-colored markings; and petioles that are almost black in color with green or tannish brown-colored stripes and/or greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and stripes.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisementsrelating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred morethan one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant.Inventor/Applicant claims a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C.102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but lessthan one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘CRM FCY OF15-76’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2014 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum‘Florida Moonlight’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,565, as thefemale, or seed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘Splash of Wine’,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,599, as the male, or pollen, parent.The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in acontrolled outdoor nursery environment in Avon Park, Fla. in September,2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2016 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Intermediate and upright to mounding plant habit; dense,        leafy and bushy appearance.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Fancy-type leaves that are creamy to greenish white in color        variably flushed with pink, variably covered with random pink        and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably mottled with        dark green-colored markings.    -   4. Petioles that are almost black in color with green or tannish        brown-colored stripes and/or greenish brown-colored stippling,        streaks and stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Florida Moonlight’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are creamy to greenish        white in color variably flushed with pink, variably covered with        random pink and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably        mottled with dark green-colored markings whereas leaves of        plants of ‘Florida Moonlight’ are greenish white in color.    -   2. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are almost black        in color with green or tannish brown-colored stripes and/or        greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and stripes whereas        leaf petioles of plants of ‘Florida Moonlight’ are tannish pink        in color with greenish brown-colored stippling, stripes and        tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Splash of Wine’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are larger than plants of ‘Splash        of Wine’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are creamy to greenish        white in color variably flushed with pink, variably covered with        random pink and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably        mottled with dark green-colored markings whereas leaves of        plants of ‘Splash of Wine’ have dark green-colored venation with        interveinal areas that are greenish white or white flushed with        red and light red in color and densely covered with red        purple-colored spots.    -   3. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are almost black        in color with green or tannish brown-colored stripes and/or        greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and stripes whereas        leaf petioles of plants of ‘Splash of Wine’ are tannish pink in        color with greenish brown-colored stripes and streaks.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Summer Breeze’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,420. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Summer Breeze’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are creamy to greenish        white in color variably flushed with pink, variably covered with        random pink and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably        mottled with dark green-colored markings whereas leaves of        plants of ‘Summer Breeze’ are white to creamy white in color        with a central pink-colored blush, pink-colored venation and        green-colored margins.    -   2. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are almost black        in color with green or tannish brown-colored stripes and/or        greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and stripes whereas        leaf petioles of plants of ‘Summer Breeze’ are pink to tannish        pink in color with faint greenish brown-colored streaks,        stippling and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Raspberry Moon’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,069. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Raspberry Moon’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are creamy to greenish        white in color variably flushed with pink, variably covered with        random pink and/or white-colored spots and proximally, variably        mottled with dark green-colored markings whereas leaves of        plants of ‘Raspberry Moon’ are lime green in color with random        dark green and raspberry red-colored coalescing spots and        blotches.    -   2. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are almost black        in color with green or tannish brown-colored stripes and/or        greenish brown-colored stippling, streaks and stripes whereas        leaf petioles of plants of ‘Raspberry Moon’ are tannish pink in        color with darker-colored streaks and tessellations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical plant of ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’ grown in a container that has hadits tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is sideperspective view of typical plants of the female parent, ‘FloridaMoonlight’ (right), ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’ (center) and the male parent,‘Splash of Wine’ (left).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3) is sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘Summer Breeze’ (left), ‘CRM FCYOF15-76’ (center) and ‘Raspberry Moon’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet (FIG. 4) is a comparisonview of typical plants of ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’ grown in containers, theplant on the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on theright has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet (FIG. 5) is a sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’ grown in an openproduction field.

The photograph on the fourth sheet (FIG. 6) is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of ‘CRMFCY OF15-76’.

The photograph on the fifth sheet (FIG. 7) is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shade house (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shade house and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shade house-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 1,300μmol. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and full sunlight conditions. Plantsgrown in the shade house were ten weeks old and plants grown in theoutdoor nursery were six months old when the photographs and thedetailed description were taken. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2001 and 2015 Editions, except where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘CRM FCY OF15-76’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Florida            Moonlight’ disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,565.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Splash of            Wine’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,599.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments            are ovate to somewhat irregular in shape. Height: About 3.2            cm to 3.8 cm. Diameter: About 4.2 cm to 5.2 cm. Segment            height: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Segment diameter: About 1.5 cm            to 1.7 cm. Axillary bud shape: Roughly triangular. Axillary            bud height: About 4 mm to 5 mm. Axillary bud width: About            5.2 mm to 6.5 mm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle.            Color: Periderm, freshly-harvested: Close to 199C. Periderm,            dried: Close to 200D. Epidermis: Initially, close to N179D            becoming closer to 159B with subsequent development.            Cortical tissue: Close to 4D. Axillary buds: Close to 38B            and 38C with faint and sparse markings, close to 202A. Root            description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few            lateral branches; color, typically paper white in color,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation,            substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.            Rooting habit: Dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate and upright to mounding            plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; vigorous            growth habit and rapid growth rate; potted plants finish in            saleable form in about seven weeks after planting tubers;            leaf petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing            points on tubers; leaf petioles initially upright and            leaning outwardly with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane, shade            house-grown potted plants, tubers de-eyed.—About 35 cm to 41            cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane, shade            house-grown potted plants, tubers not de-eyed.—About 45 cm            to 51 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of floral plane, shade            house-grown potted plants, tubers de-eyed.—About 41.4 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About 40 cm to 47 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About 44 cm to 55 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About five to eight develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About two to three develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shade house-grown potted plants.—Length: About            4.9 cm to 5.9 cm. Width: About 1 cm to 1.8 cm. Shape:            Narrowly elliptic or wedge-shaped. Apex: Variable, obtuse,            acuminate or emarginate. Base: Sheathing the stem. Texture            and luster, outer and inner surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            glossy. Color, outer surface: Close to N170D, 199D and 155C            tinged with close to 160D, and marbled, streaked and            stippled with close to 200A tinged with 147A and/or 202A;            color becoming closer to 200C and 200D with subsequent            development. Color, inner surface: Close to N155D with            colors and color patterns from outer surface visible.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy-type.        -   Length, shade house-grown potted plants, tubers            de-eyed.—About 13 cm to 16 cm.        -   Length, shade house-grown potted plants, tubers not            de-eyed.—About 20 cm to 25 cm.        -   Width, shade house-grown potted plants, tubers            de-eyed.—About 8.4 cm to 10.4 cm.        -   Width, shade house-grown potted plants, tubers not            de-eyed.—About 14 cm to 19 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate, broadly ovate to cordate.        -   Apex.—Acute, acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate-peltate; cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire; mostly flat with broad undulations.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery; dull sheen.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous with            veins slightly glaucous; leathery; dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate and palmate.        -   Color, shade house-grown potted plants.—Leaf colors and            patterns vary between leaves on the same plant; both upper            and lower surfaces are attractive. When developing and fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to            157C, 157D, 151B, 151C, 147B and/or 147C variably flushed            with close to 185D; variable and random spots, close to 185D            or 155C. Margins: Close to 146A, 146B, 187A, 187B, 187C            and/or 187D. Basal notch: Close to 187B and 187C. Leaf            petiole junction: Close to N186B tinged with close to 177A            with adjacent variable mottling and flecks, close to 147A.            Midvein: Close to 145A, 145B and/or 145C variably flushed            with close to 177B (mostly proximally), streaked with close            to 146A and 146B and surrounded with close to 157C and 157D.            Primary lateral venation: Close to 146B, 147A, and/or 145B            to 145C variably tinged with close to N186B, 177A and 177B,            streaked and flecked with close to 146B and 146C and            surrounded with close to 157D. Secondary lateral venation:            Close to 147B, 146A, 146B and 146C tinged with close to 147C            and surrounded by 157B and 157C. When developing and fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Background color: Close to            157D, 147C and 147D variably tinged with close to 139D,            close to N155C or N155D variably tinged with close to 63D,            close to 191A and 191B variably tinged with close to 189A            (proximally); variable and random spots, close to 63C, 63D            or 155C. Margins: Close to 187A, 187B, 187C and/or 187D.            Basal notch: Close to 187B. Midvein: Close to 147D tinged            with close to 177B and 177C (mostly proximally) surrounded            with close to 157D and/or 145D. Primary lateral venation:            Close to 145C and 147C to 147D variably tinged with close to            177B and 177C and/or N187A and surrounded with close to 145D            and/or 157D. Secondary lateral venation: Close to 147B to            147C, 146B to 146C, or close to 191A.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and leaning            outwardly with development; flexible. Length, shade            house-grown potted plants: When tubers are de-eyed, about 25            cm to 36 cm. Length, shade house-grown potted plants: When            tubers are not de-eyed, about 27 cm to 38 cm. Diameter,            distally, shade house-grown potted plants: When tubers are            de-eyed, about 3.5 mm to 4 mm. Diameter, proximally, shade            house-grown potted plants: When tubers are de-eyed, about            4.5 mm to 6 mm. Diameter, distally, shade house-grown potted            plants: When tubers are de-eyed, about 4.5 mm to 5 mm.            Diameter, proximally, shade house-grown potted plants: When            tubers are not de-eyed, about 5 mm to 11 mm. Texture and            luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, shade house-grown            potted plants: Close to N170D and 147D stippled, streaked            and striped with close to 147A flushed with close to N200A            or close to 200A tinged with close to 147A and 202A and            stippled, streaked and striped with close to 147B, 147C and            197C; just below the leaf junction, close to N170D and 147D            variably tinged with close to 181D with stripes and streaks,            close to 200A to 200A tinged with close to 147A. Wing            length, shade house-grown potted plants: When tubers are            de-eyed, about 4 cm to 7 cm. Wing diameter, shade            house-grown potted plants: When tubers are de-eyed, about            4.5 mm to 6.5 mm. Wing length, shade house-grown potted            plants: When tubers are not de-eyed, about 5.5 cm to 11 cm.            Wing diameter, shade house-grown potted plants: When tubers            are not de-eyed, about 6.5 mm to 9 mm. Texture and luster,            inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Wing            color, shade house-grown potted plants: Outer surface: Close            to N170D, 199D and 155C flushed with close to 160D and            stippled and streaked with close to 147A flushed with close            to 200B. Inner surface: Close to N155D; colors and patterns            on the outer surface are visible on the inner surface.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on nine week-old    shade house-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with mint-camphor            note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about nine weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 13.7 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 9.5 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:            About 4.2 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 4.7 cm.            Depth, distal open portion: About 1.6 cm. Width, at            constriction: About 1.25 cm to 1.5 cm. Width, proximal            closed portion: About 2.9 cm. Shape, open portion: Elliptic,            ovate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire;            distally, slightly reflexed. Texture and luster, front            surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy to dull sheen.            Texture and luster, rear surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glaucous (proximally) and dull sheen. Color, front surface:            Distal open portion: Close to 155C; with subsequent            development, distally becoming closer to 200D. Proximal            closed portion: Close to 148C; proximally, faintly flushed            with close to N186C; color does not change with subsequent            development. Color, rear surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 145D and 155C; color does not change with subsequent            development. Proximal closed portion: Close to 147B and            147C; color does not change with subsequent development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 8.3 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 4.3 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.6 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 2.4 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 1 cm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 6 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 1 cm. Shape:            Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Rounded to acute. Base:            Obtuse. Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to            159C. Color, mature, sterile zone: Close to 155D. Color,            mature, female zone: Close to 155D. Male flowers: Quantity            per spadix: About 192. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3.5 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color:            Close to 8D. Female flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 224.            Shape: Obovate. Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Stigma color: Close to 155D. Ovary color: Close to 158C.        -   Scapes.—Length: About 27.7 cm. Diameter: About 6.5 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; somewhat flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect,            straight. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glaucous. Color: Close to 160D and 199C streaked, stippled            and striped with close to 200C; just below the spathe, close            to 147C streaked, stippled and striped with close to 200B            and 200C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Pathogen tolerance/resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above    average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new    Caladium have not been observed to have tolerance/resistance to    other pathogens common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about 40° C.    and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler zones,    tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a cool    dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘CRM FCYOF15-76’ as illustrated and described.